textproduct: Rapid City

KEY MESSAGES

- Accumulating snow over the higher northern Black Hills Tuesday - Above average temperatures and mostly dry weather for the rest of the week

DISCUSSION

(This Evening Through Monday) Issued at 104 PM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

19z surface analysis had frontal boundary from southern AB to eastern NE with a weak trough draped across western ND/central WY. Trough a reflection of shortwave over the Dakotas per water vapour loop. Not much moisture available, but a few radar returns perking up along surface trough and over the northern Black Hills. Upper ridge over the western CONUS with next shortwave pushing into BC, which will be the main short term weather concern.

Tonight/Tuesday, upper ridge builds over the western CONUS as BC shortwave slips southeastward into the northern Plains. This afternoon's shortwave exits the CWA with subsidence/drying in it's wake, ending radar returns. Next shortwave brings a bit better moisture with weak QG/frontogenetic forcing for Tuesday. 0-2km RH perks up (90%) for the northern Black Hills as Froude numbers become favorable (>1) for upslope flow for 6-9 hours Tuesday. Forecast soundings suggest best lift below the DGZ with marginal temperatures below 5500' for better snows. HREF QPF probability >0.25" 50-80% for the northern Black Hills, but <50% for >0.50". Have bumped up QPF/snow amounts to account (3-7" for the highest peaks), but will hold off on headlines given lower confidence for amounts and bulk of QPF falling during the day. WY/SD plains will see much lighter QPF with a preference for rain/lower PoPs than the northern Black Hills. Temperatures will be near guidance.

Thermal ridge builds into the area for the second half of the week, but especially for Thursday when ECMWF EFI indicates 80-90% percentile MaxT with some SoT action. Thursday should be the warmest day of the week with record temperatures in jeopardy. Preponderance of ensemble guidance portrays mild weather into next weekend, especially over the southwest half of the CWA. Limited precipitation chances Wednesday through next weekend with <20% chance >0.01" QPF per latest NBM.

AVIATION

(For the 00Z TAFS Through 00Z Tuesday Evening) Issued At 402 PM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the overnight hours. A weather system will push through the region after 12z Tuesday, bringing light snow and MVFR/IFR conditions to the area. Have kept mention of snow/low clouds out of KRAP forecast given drying, downslope flow.

UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...None. WY...None.